Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 December 1936 — Page 8

Able Company, Growing In Perfection, to End Stay Tonight.

BY JAMES THRASHER

It seems that Col. de Basil's

Ballet Russe is fated to visit “our city on the wings of icy weather. But they find, on their annual visits, a warmth of response from an increasingly dance-conscious Indian“apolis which makes up for a

¢ool climatic reception.

80 once again we have these “much admired Russian dancers, - who opened their engagement at “the Murat last night, under the “aegis of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and who will close it this evening.

Whether a nostalgic remembrance : of the ballet’s “golden age” — the days of Diaghileff and Nijinsky— or a love of the grace and color and spectacle entices one to the Ballet Russe, he is not likely to be disappointed. Here we have old wine “in new bottles. Both the spirit and letter of the classic ballet are present, set forth by a company which yearly is growing in perfecton: as well as popularity.

Offer Varied Program

Last night the dancers deployed their talents upon a varied program. First there was “The Swan Lake,” with choreography by Petipa and music by Tschaikowsky. Reminis‘cent of “Les Sylphides,” the ballet ‘tells of a Princess and her companions' who are swans by day and humans by night, of a Prince who falls in love with the Queen of the Swans, and of a wicked sorcerer.

But mainly it afforded an excellent background for the art of Alexandra Danilova, Paul Petroff and the corps de ballet in a charming pastoral picture. Miss Danilova was quite the heroine of the evening as well as the hardest working prima ballerina. For she appeared in “Cleopatra,” which followed, “The Swan Lake,” and in the final ballet. “Cleopatra” was an excellent foil to the pastoral opening number. Colorful, spectacular and heavily archaic, it was an Egyptian relief set beside, perhaps, a Watteau landscape.

Miss Danilova Outstanding

Michel Fokine was the choreographer, with music by Arensky, from which the Bacchanale is a familiar concert item. Outstanding in the cast were Miss Danilova and the gentleman billed ‘as David Lichine, but who evidently was not, as ithe young lovers; Lubov+Tchernicheva as the Egyptian Queen, and Tatiana Riabouchinska and Roman Vasinsky as the slaves.

Following this came a delightful duet, “The Spirit. of - the Rose,” danced by Irina Baranova and Mr. __Petroff. With infinite grace and skill, the dancers interpreted Weber’s lilting; rococo “Invitation to the Dance” against a background of summer. moonlight. For the finale, the Ballet Russe presented “The Beautiful Danube” to a sparkling potpourri of waltzes, polkas and galops by Johann Strauss. Seen here before, the hallet . brought the eagerly anticipated appearance of Mr. Lichine and ~ Leonide Massine, the choreographer and the company’s maitre de ballet. . Featured with them were the Misses Danilova and Riabouchinska and Olga Morosova. And, of course, the entire corps also was present.

Antal Dorati Conductor

This, indeed, was" superlative dancing. It is a presentation of ~ captivating fantasie, atmosphere

and humor, a rhythmic and colorful |.

pattern of yellows and browns. The ‘gay and effortless manner in which one terpsichorean tour-de-force folJowed another held the audience enthralled and brought spontaneous and prolonged applause at the conSlusion.

will consist a work from the aghileff repertoire new to the llet Russe this year; “The Threered Hat,” music by de Falla, choreography by Massine and setand costumes by Picasso; “L*Apres-Midi d'un Faune,” to Debussy’s famous music, and “Aurora's Wedding,” based on Tschaikowsky’s {The Sleeping Princess.”

: TIME TO BUTTON

For a scene in “Love On the Rup. an Crawford wears a pale b n with fifty-six buttons ue s front. It takes the star ten minto button the dress.

bill

LTT EIST

2 “RIDDLE ME THIS”

TIGHTS ONLY—i3ec, 23¢, 40

Digging for autographs. . .

Full Program Here Taken in Stride as Part of Day's Work.

Three weeks of daily airplane “jumps” between cities, snow and sub-zero weather have not curbed the vitality of Warner Brothers’ “Flying Gold Diggers,” who climaxed a day’s visit to Indianapolis with an appearance last night on the Lyric stage. A reception at the airport, a meeting with Gov. McNutt, luncheon as guests of the Service Club, rehearsal, a radio broad-

cast and the performance—all were taken in the movie dancers’ stride, as part of the day's work. Two of the company’s principals are shown in the above picture. In the background is Fred Lawrence, singing actor and master ‘of ceremonies for the “personal appearance” performances. Mr. Lawrence, whose real name is Frank Prinz, is a Chicogosan, who was seen here a few years ago in the University of Wisconsin’s annual show. Later he was featured singer with Ben Bernie for four years. He was last seen in Indianapoiis on the Lyric screen, playing. the romantic lead in “The Captain’s Kid,” which starred Sibyl Jason and Guy Kibbee. Standing in front of Mr. Lawrence, in the fur coat, is Miss Jeanne Madden. A native of Scranton, Pa., she says that she “has always sung.” She studied for three and a half years in New York with Queena Mario,

former Metropolitan Opera so- -

prano, and came under the watchful eye of Metropolitan officials.

Assured Vacation _ “When a Warner Brothers talent scout signed her up, Miss Madden made sure that her contract allowed her a three-months vacation for pursuit of her musical career. She took a few screen tests in New "York, then. was bundled off to Hollywood. No

sooner had she arrived than she was hurried into the lead opposite: Dick Powell in “Stage Struck.” Though, without any previous dramatic experience, she madé the grade. Miss Maddén has learned the coloratura roles’ in “Rigoletto,” “Lucia di . Lammermoor,” “The Barber of Seville” and “La Somnambula,” and had planned to sing with the San Carlo Opera Company last spring until picture work interferred. Not shown in the above picture is 18-year-old, freckled Mildred Law, who was arriving by plane from Hollywood about the time the rest of the girls were getting the Governor's autograph. A dancer and a native of Boston, Miss Law replaced Rosalind Marquis, who was recalled for work on a new picture. Miss Law has been on the West Coast only three months, and as yet has mot been in a picture. She made a few shorts in New York for Warner Brothers, however. She is going through a “grooming process” at present, she says. That means lessons in singing and dramatics. If you saw her specialty at the Lyric last night, you know her dancing can take care of itself.

. Members of the “Flying Gold Diggers” party and Gov. McNutt.

Goldwyn to Spend 10 Million On 1937-38 Film Program

Eight Productions Will Be Made, Including Sequel To Ever Popular 'Mutiny on the Bounty.’

Times Specint

HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 8.—A doubled output of films for 1937-1938, at an estimated budget of $10,000,000, has been announced by Samuel Goldwyn. The new schedule calls for eight films to be released through United Artists during the year instead of the usual program of four.

In making this announcement, confirming earlier reports of expansion of the Goldwyn program, the producer lashed out against “factory-made” ' ‘screen products, and the flood of so-called Class B films resulting from- the double-bill policy in numerous* theaters throughout the country. Every one of his eight films, he declared, would be a major product, with no concessions in the direction of quantity as opposed to quality. Not one of tne eight films will go below the: $800,000 mark, he stated, ~the highest figure reached in the * $2,000,000 expenditure on the much-heralded “Goldwyn Follies.” “The industry”. said Mr. Goldwyn, “is in danger of losing prestige because of the increase in fac-tory-made pictures to meet the double-hbill. market. « Mr. Goldwyn paid tribute to the late Irving Thalberg, declaring that his death had removed a ‘producer identified with box-office prestige, and that. it was necessary for other producers, capable because of their resources and’ talent, to fill the breach by increasing their output

WHERE, WHAT, WHEN AROELO M ee.’ with Baryeu 3 “Joel . McCrea. at 3:40. 5:44, 7:48 and 9:52. " CIRCLE “Smartest onl in Ang. Sat with thern, at

Jungle “Princess,” with Dorothy Lamour, at 11, 1:34, 4:08, 8:31 and 9:05.

KEITH'S

‘Riddle Me This,’ Prstented by the Federal Players. at 8:1

LOEW'S

roanjo. on para Stanw. 11:32, 1:36,

LYRIC

Maj. Bowes’ Dance nd and Re1:10, #:52, 6:44 and e in the Sky. 3 and Warren - Huh, 5:19, 8:11 and 10:26.

MURAT W. de Basil's Ballet Russe at

ALAMO

“The Bengal Tiger,” with Barfon Lean. Also ‘‘Thank You Jeeves.”

AMBASSADOR

Yous in Love,” with Loretta ng, “Also “Three Married Men,” Li ary Brian.

OHIO “Swing Time,” with Fred Asiaire

and Gig er Rogers. Also, “Lo gins at 20," with iugh “Herbert.

i at 11: 4. 2:27.

Col. 8:15.

ENGLISH

Thurs., Bake Sas

DEC. 10-11-12 poputar Sac: Mae. HERMAN SHUMLIN Presents

MOST DISCUSSED PLAY Be OF THE GENERATION: -«

LDR NS Uk LILLIAN HELLMAN ORIGINAL N. Y. CAST AFTER 35 WEEKS ON BROADWAY vm Nightge: -=3Matinee—. 55¢-$2.20 55¢-$1.65

TAX

of the better-type films, so as to stem the flood of mediocre product. Mr. Goldwyn’s announced intention of doubling his product, plus Selznick International’s decision to treble its scheduled slate, is considered indicative of the United Artists’ plan to add to the yearly releasing schedule strictly on a class picture basis.

WPA Players | Stage Strike

Face Dismissal for Breach of U. S. Order.

By United Press NEW YORK, Dec. 8.—One hundred WPA Federal theater project workers faced dismissal today for violating an order barring “sitdown” strike demonstrations. The men and women, protesting against curtailment orders from Washington, invaded their project offices yesterday, prepared to.remain until WPA officials agreed to modify the retrenchment program. They | were guarded by a detail, of special agents of the Federal Buréau of Investigation who said they would eject the strikers at once if they damaged government property. Regional WPA Administrator B. B. Somervell has ordered dismissals of any person taking part in “sitdown” demonstrations.: Federal investigators said efforts would be made to identify the theater project strikers from photographs and they would be the first dismissed.

RADIO HANDY MAN

Vinton Haworth was television director of a. Chicago radio station and produced the first sound and

sight drama in radio, then became" a leading character in the “Myrt

and Marge” air program.

Belen Broderick—Ann Sothern — Krie' Bl

ore Plus the adventure every man has dreamed of!" “THE JUNGLE PRINCESS”

Patriei ; INS A’ 50

' Hugh Herbert, “LOVE BEG

Tonight’s Presentations at Your.

NEIGHBORHOOD THEATERS

WEST SIDE

STATE

“LEATHERNECKS HAVE Comedy-Novelty

BELMONT

“MAGNIFICENT. “WALKING ON AIR"

18th St. Hlenight Ont yi Lew

RITZ

«CHARLES CHAN ¥ AT TH

W. Wash. & Belmont MecLaglen

i W. Mich, St.

yn AN

NORTH SIDE

“LAST OF THE MOHICANS” “LOVE BEGINS AT 20"

Stratford

{STRAND

EAST SIDE 4630 E. 10th St.

EMERSON * Dessiceeatars

“DO . “WALKING ON AIR

HAMILTON ‘Boul: Ba

“ROAD TO cromy: Jane. Withers LLL } E. 10th St.

ie Eden

ES TROUBLE” “WOMEN ARE TROUBLE”

[Paramount THE TRAIL” EEE

St “1d EEE “FEDERAL AGENT"

‘mother, Mrs.”

tracts, and a concert’ tour to- i

day dangled temptingly . before Betty Jane Schultz, 15, who became a famous: opera star over night.

; Many odin in “New Type | Mystery, ‘Riddle Me This’

Daviel Rubin’ $s Pla Lets. Audience Know Right Off

Who the Murderer Is but Cast Is Kept in

Perform Well.

Federal Players ‘patrons. may look forward to unusually enjoyable entertainment at Keith's this week. “Riddle Me This,” Daniel N. Rubin’s popular mystery ‘comedy, or, if you prefer, comedy. mystery, is an excellent opus for the local WPA dramatic troupe, which gave its first performance of the play last night.

¢- Mr. Rubin’s drama ‘as a,

| mystery is engaging. from op-

'| ening scene to final curtain, is

The girlish Betty, who last week |.

was lugging her text books back and forth to high school, won an overwhelming reception anid the highest praise of music critics for her debut as Mimi in “La. Boheme.” - It was her second public appearance in two years of vocal training. Paul Longone, manager of the Chicago City Opera Co. with which young Betty made her debut, announced: “I shall offer Betty to the manager of Covent Garden, for a coronation. concert,” Mr. Longone said, patting Betty on the shoulder. Betty, whose aplomb has amazed critics as much as her voice, smiléd and fingered the spray of orchids on her lapel.

M-G-M Congratulates Her I. I. Altman, talent director of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, telegraphed his congratulations and expressed his “sincere wish fo have your fine

talent with an outstanding organe- |.

ization in the motion picture indus-

try. ” Radio and concert .appearances also will be booked. Plans for continuing Betty’s academic education include having a tutor : travel with her,‘ along with Mr.- Longohe and the .young star’s Louis Schultz. Although she sings Italian, she neith-

er understands nor speaks the lan-

guage.

“Any contract 1 make,” Betty |

said “gaily, “will have to include several months’ residence in Chicago so I can go on with my musical education : with Madame Herman Devries.”

Betty prefers the movie’ contracts, she said, “because-it" would be more

fun.” But I'll do whatever Mr. Longone: suggests,”. she added; giving him a resounding: smack on: the cheek.

STAGE MAKES PERFECT

| John. Barrymore: believes that stage players -usually - “click” so well on the screen because of their years . of experience. “Delivering lines ‘hefore an audience is the greatest practice of all,” Barrymore asserts.

Wheeler & her |

The distinguished Metropolitan dramatic soprano, Lotte Lehmann, will have the title role in the Cincinnati Symphony = Orchestra's production of Puccini's “Tosca” on Friday and Saturday nights in the Music Hall, Cincinnati. Eugene Goossens will conduct. ' Others in the cast are to be Armand Tokatyan, Italo Picchi and Frances Benner, formerly of Indianapolis.

Freedman, ‘Gag’ Writer, Is Dead

By United Press NEW * YORK, Dec. 8-—David Freedman, one of the nation’s leading writers of jokes, radio scripts, musical comedies. and plays, died unexpectedly: today of heart dise at his home. : He died a few hours before he was to appear in: Supreme Court, where he started suit: yesteday against ‘Eddie Cantor charging that the comedian owed him $250,000 plus interest on an oral contract.

WAR ‘FLIER IN FILM ‘Brian Donlévy is piloting’ an air-

Mane in “Crack-Up.” 1lying since the World ‘War.

full of laughs and is presented capably under direction of John Cameron.

There ' is murder, naturally, but ‘for once the audience really knows

baffled detective, - Mr.. McKinley (Jack Duval) and an energetic newspaper . police reporter, Kirk (Ned LeFevre), assmeble clues ‘which nearly send an innocent man to the electric chair, the patron is privileged to feel superior with his

‘knowledge that the villain is Dr.

Tindal (Hal Hawkes). No Secret Divulged

Because Mr. Rubin’s discloses it ‘in his first scene, we're divulging no secrets by telling that Dr. Tindal murders his wife (Ruth Benefiel),

‘then cleverly helps the police (and

the reporter) uncover his .faked “clues” which convict an Marsh (Frederic Winter), M Tindal’s suitor, on murder are bh} : Interested at first only in a story for his newspaper, Kirk is motivated to save Marsh from the electric chair when he meets the suspect's sister, Vera (Alice Arnold). He does save Marsh, but not as he expects to. Just how the mystery is solved

should . remain Mr. Rubin’s and the.

Federal Players’ secret until you see them "unravel the knotted chain of events which involve a gangster, Jack Reed (Jess Fink), and his “moll,” Judia (Betty Anne Brown).

Stage Effects Pleasing

. The leading roles of this fast-

moving ‘drama at the opening: per-

It is his first | J}

RIS (&

formance were played easily and convincingly by Messrs. Duval, Le Fevre and Hawkes and Miss Arne oid. Jess Fink and Betty Anve Brown were excellent. in their few short scenes. Miss Benefiel deserves some mention for having to lie dead” on the floor of her bedroom

throughout the first act. “Riddle Me This” is full of robust

humor of the “speakasy” and gangster era, and its. interpretation by the WPA unit doubtless is as vigorous. as the author intended, Stage ing and lighting in the first act, with. the setting Mrs. Tindal's bedroom, is pleasing, and while the-po~ lice station of the second and third acts is grim, it affords an effective background for the mystery play. As a comedy, “Riddle Me This” is definitely funny. As a mystery, fon is novel and engaging.

‘MARX BUSINESS EAD

Groucho’ Marx, although the youngest, is the most business-like of the Marxes. He signs their cole ‘lective checks, dictates to the trios secretary and acts as the family ex= ecutive. 2.

HOME CWNED-——HOME OPERATEL

HOLLYWOOD FLASH po

*. ‘audience ses